Underrated Freshwater Fish That Deserve a River Tank

Walk into any fish store and the same fish get the front tanks: neon tetras, guppies, angelfish. They're fine fish, but most of them don't care for current. A river tank needs fish that like to swim against a flow, and some of the best ones get overlooked. Here are six worth a second look.

We already covered the river-tank regulars in the best fish for strong-current tanks: hillstream loaches, White Cloud Mountain minnows, danios, stream gobies and bristlenose plecos. This list is the next tier.

Rosy barb

• Size: usually around 4 inches in a tank.
• Temperament: active and peaceful in a group of 5 or more. Can nip long fins.
• Why it works: a tough, fast schooling fish that's happy in cooler water than most tropicals, so it pairs well with a river tank in a cool room. The males turn deep red in breeding color.

Odessa barb

• Size: about 3 inches.
• Temperament: peaceful schooler; keep 6 or more.
• Why it works: the males have a bright red band down the side and black-edged scales. They're active swimmers that look best in a long tank with room to cruise.

Glass bloodfin tetra

• Size: about 2 inches.
• Temperament: peaceful; keep a school.
• Why it works: clear bodies with bright red fins, and they hang out in the upper water, right in the flow from the outlet. One of the few tetras that seems to enjoy current.

Panda garra

• Size: about 3 1/2 inches.
• Temperament: busy and mostly peaceful; may squabble with their own kind.
• Why it works: a stream fish that grazes algae and biofilm off rocks, like a hillstream loach with more swimming. Give them smooth stones and good oxygen.

Zebra loach

• Size: about 3 1/2 to 4 inches.
• Temperament: peaceful and social; keep 3 or more.
• Why it works: one of the smaller loaches, with bold stripes. They poke through the gravel all day and help with pest snails. A good alternative to assassin snails if you'd rather have fish.

Cherry barb

• Size: about 2 inches.
• Temperament: very peaceful, a little shy.
• Why it works: the males are cherry red, and they're one of the calmest barbs. They prefer gentle current, so give them the slower end of the tank, behind rocks or plants.

Setting up for them

• A long tank beats a tall one. Fast swimmers need length.
• Make fast and slow zones. Put the strongest flow at one end and rocks and plants at the other so every fish can rest.
• Lots of oxygen. Moving water helps. Add an air stone if you're not sure.
• A tight lid. Active schooling fish jump.
• Quarantine new fish. See how to quarantine new fish before they go in the main tank.

Sources (2)

Seriously Fish: Pethia conchonius (rosy barb) · Seriously Fish: Garra flavatra (panda garra)

Related: Ten Fish That Thrive Best In A River Tank Style Aquarium (Riparium)